2017 NC Motorsports Industry Award

NCMA Executive Director David Miller, 2017 Achievement in Motorsports Tribute honoree Roger Penske and NCMA Chairman of the Board Greg Fornelli were all smiles following the 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremony presented by Fifth Third. Photo by Scott Crawford

The 2017 Achievement in Motorsports Tribute honoree Roger Penske thanks the group for the award during the 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremony presented by Fifth Third. Photo by Scott Crawford

Dr. Jerry Punch and Roger Penske talk during the Fireside Chat at the 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremony presented by Fifth Third. Photo by Scott Crawford

The 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremoy presented by Fifth Third featured a fireside chat with Roger Penske. Joining him were Dr. Jerry Punch, four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears, Team Penske President Tim Cindric and NASCAR's Mike Helton. Photo courtesy of Scott Crawford

Roger Penske, Rick Mears, Tim Cindric and Mike Helton share some laughs during the Fireside Chat. Photo by Scott Crawford

Photo by Scott Crawford

Wendy Venturini presents Donna Carpenter, president of the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau with a NC Motorsports Industry Award for their work in promoting motorsports and tourism in North Carolina. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

Bojangles CEO Clifton Rutledge accepts a NC Motorsports Industry Award from Charlotte Motor Speedway's Marcus Smith. Bojangles was honored for their continued support of the motorsports through sponsorships. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

B.R.A.K.E.S. founder Doug Herbert was honored by John Roberts and the NCMA for his work to growth the life-saving program to a national program. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau, B.R.A.K.E.S., Max Papis Innovations, SRI Performance and BoJangles were honored at the 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremoy presented by Fifth Third. Photo by Scott Crawford

Greg Fornelli accepts a NC Motorsports Industry Award on behalf of his company SRI Performance from friend and Roush Yates Engines President Doug Yates. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

Max Papis hugs NASCAR driver and GoPro Motorplex owner Justin Marks after Marks presented Papis with an award for his company, MPI's innovation. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

Corinne Economaki and NASCAR's Mike Helton accept the Jim Hunter Memorial Media Award on behalf of Ken Squier who was unable to attend. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

Roger Penske shakes hands with David Morton of Fifth Third Bank as he accepts the 2017 NC Achievement of Motorsports Tribute Award. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

2012 NASCAR Cup Champion Brad Keselowski chats with Max Papis and his nephew Pietro Fittipaldi da Cruz during the reception for the 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Ceremony presented by Fifth Third Bank. Papis' company MPI received an award for outstanding innovation during the event. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

NCMF scholarship recipient Keaton Cooper (center) was on hand with his mom Melanie and father Kirk for the presentation of the scholarship awards. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

Four-time Indianapolis 500 victor Rick Mears shares a laugh with three-time winner Helio Castroneves and Dr. Jerry Punch during the reception for the 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Ceremony presented by Fifth Third Bank. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

Roger Penske and Rick Hendrick talk during the reception for the 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Ceremony presented by Fifth Third Bank. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

Three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves chats with students from the mechnical engineering department at North Carolina State University. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

2014 Verizon IndyCar Series champion Will Power chats with Max Papis during the reception for the 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Ceremony presented by Fifth Third Bank. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI

Newest Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden and Team Penske President talk during the reception for the 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Ceremony presented by Fifth Third Bank. Cindric will be calling race strategy for the young American in the Verizon IndyCar Series this season. Photo by Scott Crawford/PRI